3 Reasons Why You Should Not Use Ice Melt On New Concrete

If you live in a cold climate and have just poured some new concrete, you may be tempted to use ice melt. You just poured a new concrete patio and you’re ready to use it. However, there’s one thing you need to take into consideration before doing so: chemical-based ice melt! Ice melt is a common way to melt snow and ice from surfaces, but it can be harmful to that brand-new concrete. Yes, even if it says concrete safe ice melt.

Let’s talk about why that is.

 I’m here to tell you that this is almost always a bad idea. Here are 3 reasons why:

Concrete that has just been poured is delicate.

New concrete is delicate. It needs to cure for at least 28 days before it can be exposed to any chemicals, moisture, and salt. This curing process allows the new concrete to set and harden properly. If you spray ice melt product on the surface of your new driveway or sidewalk during the first three weeks after it’s poured, it will cause tiny cracks in your driveway’s surface that can expand over time if exposed to moisture.

Concrete can crack and pop as a result of ice melt.

Ice melt can cause concrete to crack, pop, and become porous. When ice melt is applied to new concrete, the freeze-thaw process that occurs with repeated exposure to moisture causes the expansion and contraction of the material. As a result, small cracks are formed in the surface of your driveway or walkway which allows water to seep into the ground below where it freezes and thaws repeatedly.

Stains can be left on concrete surfaces by ice melt.

Do you hate the look of brown or white spots on your new, clean concrete? Unfortunately, this is a problem that many people have to deal with after using chemical ice melt on their driveways. To prevent stains from happening, you’ll want to make sure that you keep the area around your driveway clear of any ice or snow buildup. If any does accumulate, brush it off as soon as possible—that way, you’ll avoid any damage caused by uneven melting.

Safe Paw: Concrete Safe Ice Melt

Safe Paw will work on any concrete more than 12 months old. It is a non-toxic, chemical-free ice melt. As long as your new concrete has had a chance to cure for at least a year, you’ll be able to use Safe Paw without worrying about damaging the surface. Testing on a small patch is recommended to ensure that the surface will not react adversely to the product.

If you have any concerns about applying Safe Paw, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. We hope that this article has helped you to make an informed decision about whether or not to use ice melt on new concrete. The answer is simple: Ice melt should not be used on new concrete (not even concrete safe ice melt) because it could cause damage and render your driveway unusable.

Other Ice Melt Products

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